Apparatus for generating gas.



1:. D. SHAW.

APPARATUS FOR GENERATING GAS.

APPLVIQATION FILED FEB. 18, 1910.

Patented June 2, 19M.

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mauons n. snaw, or CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ass-roman 'ro straw nrnu ooiurauu,or

ATLANTA, uuonom, a coaronarron or anemia.

APPARATUS FOR GENERATING GAS.

Specification of Letters Fatent.

Patented June 1914s.

Application filed February 1910. Serial No. 544,574.

full, clear, concise, and exact description,

reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of thisspecification.

My invenfon relates to apparatus for generating gas and has particularreference to an apparatus used in connection with gen erating gas fromliquid fuel.

In using liquid fuel it is often desirable in generating gas therefromto produce a gas which will burn comparatively slowly so that a long andcomparatively cool {iamc be obtained. This is particularly true in thecase of continuous kilns, for which my apparatus is especially adapted.Moreover, it has been found that the sulfur which ordinarily is presentin fuel oil exercises a deleterious influence on ceramic material whichis to be burned, unless its influence is counter-acted in someway. Ihave found that by mixing a dilute solution of ammonium nitrate with theoil this result is accon'iplished. Although I prefer to use ammoniumnitrate, I do not confine myself to the use of this salt, inasmuch asmany others may be employed with good results. The presence of theammonium nitrate or other salt which is used also facilitates thevitrifying action which takes place on the surface of ceramic materialwhich is to be burned.

Not only may my gas generator be used in connection with burningceramicmaterial in continuous kilns, but it is also well adapted formiscellaneous work oi many varieties. Que of the chief advantages isthat a nut; ural draft is used for my gas. generator, and no specialpiping for compressed air or steam is required such as is employed inthe ordinary and well known forms of oil burners.

These and other advantages of my invention will be more apparent byreference to the accompanying drawings which represent a preferredembodiment of my apparatus.

Figure 1 is a side elevation view showing a plurality of gas generatorsplaced in position in the side of a kiln. Fig. 2 is a Sectional view onthe line '2, 2 of Fig. 1.

The gas generator consists of a hollow cylinder or collar 1 providedwith perforations for the admission of air. The upper end of thecylinder 1 is provided with the flange 3, which acts as a'supportingmeans for the cylinder. Below the lower edge of the cylinder 1 is placedthe pan 4 having a flaring edge l a space being left between the loweredge of the cylinder 1 and the pan 4L so that air may be readilyadmitted.

A gradually curved pipe 5 provided with the funnel .6 leads through thecylinder 1 and acts asa means of conducting the fuel to the pan l.Liquid fuelmay preferably be supplied from a main fuel pipe 7 which isprovided with the pipe 8 having the valve 9, this pipe 8 leading to thefunnel 6. A second main pipe 10 is provided with a dilute solution ofammonium nitrate from the supply tank 11, the pipe 12 leading from thissupply tank to the main pipe 10. The strength of the solution ofammonium nitrate which is used may be varied within wide limits, but Ifind that a solution made by dissolving approximately half a pound ofammonium nitrate in a barrel of water gives excellent results. A pipe 13provided with a valve 14 leads from the main pipe 10 to the funnel 6.

As shown in the preferred embodiment 01': my invention illustrated inthe accompanying drawings, the opening 15 connects the inside of thehollow cylinder 1 with the burning chamber 16, this burning chambercommunicating through the port 17 with the main combustion chamber 18 ofa kiln. The front of the burning chamber 14' is providcd with the wall10 of lire brick in which is placed the brick 20 which may be removed asdesired, and the hole which is thus formed may be used as a peep-hole.

The operation of my gas generator may now be readily understood. Whenthe generator is started asbestos, waste or some similar material issoaked in oil and lighted in order to heat the pan 4-. After this panhas become sulliciently heated, the valve 9 is gradimlly opened and oilpasses thr mgh the pipe 5 into the pan 4 in which it is immc' diatelyvolatilized, passing upwardly through the hollow cylinder 1. and theopening or port 15 into the combustion cluuubcr 16. When the gasgenerator is well started, the

' excellent results.

; valve 14 is gradually opened and the soluchamber 21 which is directlyopen to the atmosphere. The draft which is formed in the main combustionchamber 18 of the kiln acting through the port 17 the burning chamber'l6and the opening 15, causes air to be drawn through the perforations Qand between the lower edge of the cylinder 1 and the pan 4. This air hasthe effect of promoting the combustion of the gases which are formed byvolatilization of the oil in the pan 4. As explained above, the rapidityof. combustion may be largely governed by the amount of ammonium nitratesolution which is mixed with the liquid fuel.

When my gas generator is used in con-' nection with other operationsthan the burning of ceramic material, the ammonium nitrate or othersuitable salt may be left out of the solution and pure water may bemixed with the oil. The presence of ammonium nitrate or other similarsalt is, of course, un-

necessary when it is not desired to have the,

hot gases facilitate the vitrifying of ceramic material or where sulfurhas no deleterious effect-on the material which is to be'burned.

It will be evident that my gas generator may be used for a large varietyof purposes,

and I do not mean to confine myself to any special application of eitherthe generator or the process for generating gas, although for the sakeof clearness I have described the, same as .used in QOllIlGQtlOIl withburning kilns.

What I claim as new is:

1. In combination, a body of masonry having in one side thereof a pocketexposed to the atmosphere and having a chamber above and communicatingwith sa d pocket,

said chamber being a combustion chamber and being open at the oppositeside of said body, a pan on the floor of said pocket, a tubular membersupported on the roof of said pocket and communicating with said.

chamber, and means for supplying fuel to said pan.

2. In combination, a1body of masonry having in one side thereof a pocketexposed tothe atmosphere and having a chamber above and-communicatingwith said pocket, said chamber being a combustion chamber and being openat the other side of said body, a pan on the floor of said pocket, aperforated tubular member supported on the roof of said pocketandcommunicating with said chamber, and a mechanism for {supplying fuel tosaid pan.

3. In combination, a body of masonry having in one side thereof a pocketexposed to the atmosphere and having a chamber above and communicatingwith said pocket,

said chamber being a combustion chamber.

and being open at the other side of said body, a receptacle on the floorof said pocket,

a perforated tubular member supported at the top of said pocket andcommunicating with said chamber, and apparatus for supplying fuelto-said receptacle.

4. In combination, a body of masonry having in one side thereof a pocketexposed to the atmosphere and having a chamber above and communicatingwith said pocket,

said chamber being a combustion chamber and being open at the other sideof said 'body a receptacle on the floor of said pocket,

a perforated tubular member communicat 'ing with said chamber, saidtubular member being supported by and under said chamber so that itslower edge projects below the top edge of the receptacle but does notengage the receptacle, and devices for supplying fuelto said receptacle.

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this 15th day ofFebruary, A. 1)., 1910.

FRANCES D. SHAW.

Witnesses:

HENRY M. HUXLEY, LEONARD lV. NOVONDER.

